Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison

Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed ComparisonGreat Pyrenees is originated from France but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) is originated from Belgium. Great Pyrenees may grow 16 cm / 7 inches higher than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren). Great Pyrenees may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren). Both Great Pyrenees and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) has same life span. Both Great Pyrenees and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) has almost same litter size. Both Great Pyrenees and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) requires Moderate maintenance.

History

great pyrenees - historyThe Great Pyrenees could be from Spain or France because the dog hails from the Pyrenees Mountains, which spans both France and Spain.

The dog was used to defend flocks from predators but its lineage goes a long way back, thousands of years in fact. It is thought that they only arrived in Europe about 5,000 years ago. The dog was adopted into the court of Louis the XIV as a royal dog.

During the mid 1600s, the dog's numbers dwindled but the French developed kennel clubs where the dog could be bred and its numbers restored. It was in 1933 that the Great Pyrenees received American Kennel Club recognition.

belgian shepherd dog tervuren - historyReferred to as the ‘Terv’, this dog from Belguim was created in the late 19th century. He is one of 4 varieties of Belgian Shepherd and he has a long, fawn colored coat. It was in 1892 that the first show for Belgian Shepherds took place and it was the Tervuren variety that won.

Breeders of these dogs gave each of the four varieties their own name, and the name Tervuren comes from a Belguim village. This is where M.F. Corbeel bred dogs, believed to be the foundation of the Tervuren breed.

In World War I, many of these dogs were used by the military for war related jobs. Some of these dogs were imported to America for breeding and in 1959 it was considered a separate breed from other Belgian Sheepdogs.

Description

great pyrenees puppy - descriptionThis is a beautiful dog, noticeable by the essentially white coat and his overall size, standing at 70 to 82cm and weighing between 40 to 54 kg.

The double coat is medium to long, coarse and straight or wavy and and it can be solid white, cream or white with patches of light tan or grey.

The nose is black, the eyes brown, the ears of medium length and floppy and the tail long and plumed.

Temperament:

The Great Pyrenees is an intelligent, strong willed dog with a mind of his own so he will be able to be trained and socialized successfully.

His huge size will require that he be trained because when he is indoors he can knock things over and he must be able to respond to you telling him to lie down.

As a large dog, he isn’t suited for tiny homes, as he requires lots of space even though he doesn’t require a lot of exercise. Not only that, he takes his watchdog duties seriously and he is inclined to bark a lot, and in a small place, you’ll be getting constant complaints from the neighbors.

When trained and socialized, your big dog is social, active and loving. He gets on well with children, the elderly and with pets in the home. He isn’t that overly active and will happily make himself at home on your couch and bed.

Attractively Elegant

belgian shepherd dog tervuren puppy - descriptionThe Tervuren is a medium to large sized, well muscled dog achieving heights of up to 66cm. He has an attractively elegant, regal look to him. The dog has a double coat which is weather resistant. The overall length of the coat which is fawn to mahogany is medium to long and the outer coat is straight with black tips. The males have almost like a mane of hair around the neck that you won’t necessarily find with the females. The tail is long and feathery

The Tervuren is Full of Beans

The Belgian Tervuren is alert and intelligent. His has a long-shaped face with a black mask and upright ears that are sharp and receptive to every sound. He is a herding dog and is full of energy – used to having a job that keeps him busy.

If you don’t want your Tervurens to become destruction, you will need to keep him busy and not just keep him cooped up in the back yard. This particular dog breed is a devoted, loyal pet and forms a strong bond with his human family. However, he will need to be trained and socialized if you want him to behave well around children and pets in the home.

Characteristics

great pyrenees dog - characteristicsThe Great Pyrenees is such a calm, independent, serious, well-mannered dog who loves to be around his human family and to please them. He is gentle and knows how to behave well around children, the elderly as well as with any pets in the home.

He makes a wonderful companion and although he loves indoor life as much as outdoor life, he is much happier settling into life in the country or the suburbs as opposed to life in the city and a tiny property.

Give your big white coated pet all the love he thrives on, and you'll enjoy a wonderful relationship with this large, amicable dog.

belgian shepherd dog tervuren dog - characteristicsWith his beautiful face and lustrous coat, this is a pet that you’re always going to be proud of. Not only that, he is active too, a great watchdog and a fantastic family companion.

To keep your Tervuren spritely and contented, ensure he has a high quality diet designed for active herding dogs. He is intelligent too and training and socialization will turn him into an exceptional pet for you. Provide him with lots of human companionship, give him nutritious food and see that any ailments he has are attended to by the vet and you’ll have your attractive pet around with you for up to 12, 13, 14 or 15 years.

Health Problems

great pyrenees puppies - health problemsYour Great Pyrenees is a big dog with an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. His large size means you will need to look out for typical 'big dog' ailments such as hip dysplasia.

This problem can cause your pet to be in pain and he can also become lame, battling to walk and play and battling to get up after lying down.

Also, look out for bone cancer with your pet and as mentioned previously, bloat, which is a life threatening disease where the stomach of the dog swells up.

belgian shepherd dog tervuren puppies - health problemsYour Tervuren is a robust, healthy dog breed and with the right food, love and attention, you’re not going to have major health concerns with him. Skin allergies, eye problems and hip dysplasia might be something you want to be aware of.

Skin Allergies

A dry, itchy skin with incessant scratching from your pet might require a visit to the vet. If left untreated, an itchy skin and a scratching dog can lead to secondary skin infections and even hair loss. Check for allergies or fleas, and remember that apart from medical management of fleas and ticks, dogs with a dull coat will require a supplement with omega 3 fatty acids.

Hip Dysplasia

A common skeletal disorder with malformation of the hip brought on by environmental- and genetic factors. Recognizing the signs of hip dysplasia is important for your dog to help him with pain.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

great pyrenees dogs - caringYour Great Pyrenees isn't going to be a dog leaping around you demanding a game or walk like what you get from some energetic dogs. He certainly doesn't require strenuous exercise but will require a nice, brisk walk every day. Give him some ball or rope games too. He's territorial and likes large grounds to walk around and guard and this constant guarding is a good form of exercise too.

Grooming:

With two layers, the coat of the Great Pyrenees will need to be brushed twice a week to prevent burrs attaching to the fur and to prevent it from matting, It also gets rid of loose hair during shedding.

He tends to drool so it's handy keeping a damp cloth close by just to give his face area a wipe down. Your dog's ears will need to be cleaned with special ear-cleaning lotion and his nails will also need to be trimmed.

Socialization and Training:

Socialize your Great Pyrenees with other dogs and people from a young age. Without proper socialization, this breed can become territorial and possessive of his family, which could lead to aggression. He bonds with his family but tends to be wary of strangers.

Diet:

It is far better to feed your Great Pyrenees smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to 2 large meals a day. A large dog like him can develop bloat from gulping down a large amount of food too quickly.

If you feed your Great Pyrenees commercially manufactured food, make sure it is high in omega 3 and 6 to keep his thick white coat luxurious.

Your dog will need a dog food targeted at a large breed. Remember to include some raw meat as well as cooked chicken, vegetables and brown rice into his kibble and always ensure fresh, cool water is available.

Regular Brushing is Required

belgian shepherd dog tervuren dogs - caringYour Terv is a double-coated dog and he will shed his hair throughout the year. Brushing him at least twice in the week will be necessary to get rid of the hair he sheds. Apart from brushing him and keeping his beautiful coat shiny and healthy, other grooming needs will include clipping his nails and dental hygiene. Brushing his teeth 2 or 3 times a week with specialized dog toothpaste and toothbrush will help with keeping plaque and bacteria at bay.

Feeding

Speak to your vet about feeding your Tervuren puppy as he will need at least 4 bowls of food while he is so tiny. By the time he is a year old, he will be able to have 1 or 2 meals a day. Always make sure you feel him high quality food which can be home-made food or commercially manufactured food.

To ensure he doesn’t suffer with any skin allergies, he will need to have some raw meat mixed into his food from time to time. Always provide fresh water for him and make sure to wash the bowls out often.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
France
Belgium
Height Male:
70 - 82 cm
27 - 33 inches
61 - 66 cm
24 - 26 inches
Height Female:
65 - 78 cm
25 - 31 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 54 kg
105 - 120 pounds
29 - 34 kg
63 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
44 - 54 kg
97 - 120 pounds
27 - 32 kg
59 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 12
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Belgian Tervueren Chien de Berger Belge
Colors Available:
cream, White, white with patches of light tan or grey
Fawn, red, grey with black overlay
Coat:
Medium to long, coarse, straight or wavy
Dense with long, straight outercoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  3. Great Pyrenees vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  4. Great Pyrenees vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  5. Great Pyrenees vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  6. Great Pyrenees vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Great Pyrenees vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  8. Great Pyrenees vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Great Pyrenees vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  10. Great Pyrenees vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  11. Great Pyrenees vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  12. Great Pyrenees vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  13. Great Pyrenees vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  14. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Great Pyrenees vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  16. Great Pyrenees vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  17. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  18. Great Pyrenees vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  19. Great Pyrenees vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  20. Great Pyrenees vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  21. Great Pyrenees vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Great Pyrenees vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Great Pyrenees vs German Longhaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  24. Great Pyrenees vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  25. Great Pyrenees vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  29. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  30. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  31. Catahoula Cur vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  32. Catalan Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  33. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  34. Bergamasco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  35. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  36. Queensland Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  37. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  38. Bohemian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  39. Croatian Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  40. Red Heeler vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  45. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  46. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  47. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  49. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  50. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds